The St. Louis region provides a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and marketers to expand and create connections within the local landscape from July 31-August 4. Our Founder, Erik Lutenegger, has put together a diverse set of events and opportunities for the week, which cater to interests such as networking, accessing business resources, skill augmentation, and simply enjoying oneself.
ESO, Funding, and Accelerators Opportunities
Need Funding? Incubation? Acceleration? This is a great place to start.
Applications Open | STL Startup Week Community Event
If you have a regular event in the Startup Ecosystem, Startup Week is committed to helping promote Community Events and driving attendance. And this is your chance to be included in Startup Week. (Ecosystem Opportunities)
Applications Open | Cortex Square One Boot Camp
This is an in-depth 10-week program that combines formal instruction with hands-on learning, networking, and mentoring. It seeks to instill in entrepreneurs the confidence and skills needed to succeed in high-growth industries. Participants will work on specific deliverables such as a business model canvas, financial statements, pitch deck, 2-minute elevator pitch, and planning checklist. (Incubator)
Due August 9 // Techstars
Accelerator applications are due for AARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, New York City, The Minnesota Twins.
(Accelerator)
Due August 9 // MTC IDEA Fund Co-Investment Programs
The IDEA Fund makes direct equity-based investments in Missouri’s most promising emerging companies to promote growth and encourage additional future investment. They have 3 programs the TechLaunch for pre-seed, Seed Capital for the Seed stage, and the Venture Capital Program, which supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000. (Funding)
Due August 11 // Family Business Awards 2023 | St. Louis Business Journal
Young professionals are a vital asset to the St. Louis region, and this is an opportunity to recognize all movers and shakers under 40 in a special awards publication. (Community Awards)
Due August 31 // AI Launchpad | Paddle
This is a 6-week program covering product strategy, go-to-market strategy, and finance & operations. Successful applicants will join a group of other founders and mentors to help turn ideas and MVPs into solid and growing businesses. There’s also a chance to win $25k. (Incubator)
Apply Now // Free WordPress Speed Optimizations for Non-Profits
Tenacity has officially launched SwingSpan, a Digital Divide program that provides free WordPress Speed Optimizations for Non-profits. So if you are part of a non-profit or know someone who is, and they use WordPress for their website, apply at Swingspan.app. (Free Help)
Marketing, Startup & Tech Events
Events on July 31
Buying a Franchise as a Small Business Option | SCORE Bi-State Region
Ben Terrill, a FranNet franchisee and business-matching expert, will help you explore the world of franchising at this informative workshop. The session includes a concise review of modern franchising, opportunities for Q&A, and engagement with professionals to navigate your personal path in franchising. (Virtual)
Lunch and Learn: How to conduct a digital audit of your online presence | Enterprise Nation
Rachel McMenemy will guide attendees through completing a digital audit in this Lunch and Learn session. Participants will learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of their digital assets, navigate digital data for insights, and develop a comprehensive digital strategy. (Virtual)
Email Marketing 101: Conversion Strategies Startup Founders | Founder Institute
At this webinar, you’ll learn impactful email marketing strategies from Samar Owais, an industry expert. Delve into how to optimize email campaigns, turn subscribers into customers, and build a strong lead list, ultimately driving conversions for your startup. (Virtual)
Events on August 1
Optimizing for Search Engines – Understanding SEO Basics | Digital Main Street
The Toronto Digital Service Squad will provide insights into Search Engine Optimization (SEO), explaining its relevance for a business’s digital presence. The webinar will cover keyword importance, SEO-focused copywriting, on-page/off-page tactics, technical SEO, and website auditing for search engines. (Virtual)
Launching Your Startup | Life Science Nation
Launching a startup begins with commitment. Commitment to your startup initiative, your executive team, and your partners. Learn how to sustain this commitment by creating a proof of concept or prototype and creating market traction initially, considerations to your corporate structure, simplifying finances in the beginning, and what tools to utilize. (Virtual)
Events on August 2
1 Million Cups St. Louis
This event is for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the innovation community here in St. Louis. Presenter: Top Tutors for Us
(In-Person)
Proactive Crisis Management: Safeguarding Your Brand’s Reputation with AI Technology | AMA
Explore the role of AI technology in proactive crisis management during this webinar. Learn to anticipate potential crises, leverage data insights for informed decision-making, and devise effective response plans to minimize your brand’s crisis impact. (Virtual)
Bootstrap Your Business to Success | Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
Emma Joy Obanye, CEO of OneTech, will provide insights on the importance and best practices of bootstrapping for early-stage businesses at the Nasdaq Center. She’ll illustrate effective strategies for business evaluation, bootstrapping execution, and promoting sustainable growth. (Virtual)
BookStorming Book Club: Creativity | Filament
At this Book Club, engage in rich discussions on five creativity-focused books. You’ll participate in small groups, share insights from your chosen read, interact with those exploring different books, and commit to applying an idea within 30 days. (In-Person)
Starting a Business and Federal Taxes | NY Public Library, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center
Get insights from IRS liaisons Yong Li and Susanne Guo, who will cover choosing optimal business structures, understanding Employee Retention Credits, and identifying scams to sidestep. (Virtual)
Government Contracting 101 | MU Extension & Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Here attendees will gain insights into the initial steps to secure government contracts, including federal, state, and local registrations and certifications. Services from MO APEX Accelerators, such as bid preparation assistance, marketing, and procurement counseling, will be available post-seminar. (Virtual)
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Customer Data With AI | Insider Intelligence
At this tech-talk webinar, they will discuss the role of AI in fueling customer data platforms. And will cover how to address issues with inconsistent customer data, the importance of CDP integration for personalized experiences, and real-world examples of successful strategies. (Virtual)
Summer with Skandy: How to Lead Startups | Skandalaris Center
Dive into the complexities of startup leadership and engage in a panel discussion featuring three local entrepreneurs, sharing personal experiences, strategies, and valuable advice. Panelists are Jake Jakubisin, Doorward
Stephen Seaman, Swipesum
Peter Webb, MARSfarm
(In-Person)
Events on August 3
The European Digital Marketing Conference 2023 | Startup Network Europe
This conference, hosted by TikTok for Business and Startup Network Europe, will be an online gathering of top European marketers and digital marketing leaders. The event features rapid-fire talks, a fireside chat, and engagement with industry experts. (Virtual)
Master the Art of Meta Marketing: Elevate Your Strategy, Boost Your Success
Learn to excel in the evolving landscape of social media by mastering advanced Meta strategies in this webinar. Insights will be shared on creating cohesive ad campaigns, using AI in ad content, interpreting campaign results, and utilizing modern tools for optimal success. (Virtual)
Government Contracting- Socioeconomic Certifications | New Growth Women’s Business Center
Both the federal government and the State of Missouri offer various certifications. Certification can give a business a competitive advantage in being awarded either a prime contract or a subcontractor on a government contract. In this session, they’ll discuss what is available. (Virtual)
Most Influential Business Women | St. Louis Business Journal
Established in 1999, this program annually recognizes the accomplishments of the region’s women business leaders making the biggest impact at their company and in the community. (In-Person)
AI & Business: How ChatGPT Can Help Build + Strengthen Your Brand | Freelancers Hub
This event, led by experienced brand consultant Shena Nicole, delves into the dynamic relationship between humans and AI, specifically focusing on leveraging AI platforms like ChatGPT to enhance branding efforts. (Virtual)
A Night in Naples with PizzaPolitano & Grow With Google | HeyDays
Experience an evening filled with the authentic taste of Neapolitan pizza at STL, accompanied by an informative session on leveraging Google Search & Maps for business and delightful accompaniments of spirits and music. Free pizza and spirits are available while supplies last. (In-Person)
Venture Café St. Louis | Side Hustles & Influence Marketing
This is the first of the re-imagined events; the theme for that evening is Side Hustles & Influence Marketing. So whether you’ve already built a successful Side Hustle or are thinking about creative ways to generate extra income, this event is for you! (In-Person)
Founders Lounge | MultiPass Venture Community
At this event, entrepreneurs can enjoy an evening fostering relationships, exchanging stories, and gathering insights. The environment promotes networking, providing opportunities for potential collaborations, and includes inspirational talks from successful entrepreneurs. (In-Person)
Events on August 4
August 4-5 // Urban Expo | Urban League of St. Louis
At this bustling summer event, attendees can look forward to receiving school supplies, participating in games, enjoying live entertainment, and accessing various resources such as health screenings, senior services, and financial literacy information. Free food, haircuts, and transportation are additional benefits. (In-Person)
Bourbon Friday will return on August 11th
We’re taking this week off, but will return on August 11th, so stop by then for 3 minutes or 3 hours for more great drinks and better conversations. (In-Person)
Events on August 6
St. Louis Code and Coffee
If you are interested in coding at any level and want a community to connect with and share ideas, this is an informal meet-up for anyone to work or hack on their project. (In-Person)
Join us on Meetup or Tiktok
We’re eager to know what’s making you excited this week! Do you have any suggestions for improving the St. Louis Startup, Tech, and Marketing Ecosystem?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and for those with upcoming events or important dates, reach out to us at events@bourbonfriday.show.